Maya Healers: A Thousand Dreams

"Maya Healers: A Thousand Dreams" explores the power and mystery of ancient healing practices among the Maya people of Guatemala who live along the shores of Lake Atitlán. For over a decade, I have been documenting these healers who are struggling to keep traditional practices alive in the aftermath of a devastating civil war. The Guatemalan government as part of a campaign of genocide, tried to root out all Maya cultural practices. Despite the deaths of more than 200,000 mostly indigenous people, these practices survived underground and are now part of a proud resurgent Maya identity. I saw firsthand how healers, bonesetters and their patients are part of a sacred process that binds together healer and patient, family and community. The book was published in India but it does not have international distribution. Fiscal sponsorship from the New York Foundation for the Arts, enabled me to fundraise to pay for the printing costs of the book. I am distributing the book independently.